Windows 11 can feel snappier for some users when a security feature is turned off in the system settings. This claim has circulated in tech discussions on various blogs, noting a potential speed boost for certain configurations.
The feature in question is virtualization based security, commonly known as VBS. The idea shared by bloggers is that VBS creates a secure area in memory to protect the system, isolating it from other processes. In practice this can lead to a noticeable drop in performance on some machines, particularly when resource demand is high or the hardware is not very strong.
According to several tech writers, turning off VBS is said to reduce the performance hit by roughly a quarter on affected systems. They argue that users with older or lighter devices may see the most benefit, especially when workloads include gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks. The guidance is presented as a way to reclaim responsiveness for those who feel their PC stutters under load.
To begin the process of disabling VBS on Windows 11, the path commonly described is to open the Settings app, use the search function to navigate to Core Isolation, and then disable the Memory Integrity toggle before restarting the computer. This sequence is frequently repeated in how-to posts and video tutorials that aim to help users quickly test whether performance improves after the change.
Security minded readers are reminded that VBS exists to protect the system from certain types of malware and exploits. Industry experts warn that disabling VBS can expose a device to new risks, particularly for users who regularly download software or files from untrusted sources. The balance between speed and security becomes a personal decision based on usage habits and risk tolerance.
In recent times there have been reports in the tech press about attempts to exploit Windows security settings. A notable example involved a malicious site that claimed it could offer driver downloads for a popular hardware brand. Such reports underscore the importance of keeping security features enabled by default and applying updates from official channels only. The prevailing recommendation is to test any change in a controlled way, assess real-world impact, and revert if compromises or new threats arise.
For any user considering changes, a practical approach is to evaluate performance with VBS enabled and then with VBS disabled across representative tasks. This helps determine whether the trade off between speed and protection is acceptable given the individual workload. If the system remains stable and noticeably faster after a reboot, the user has a clearer sense of whether VBS is the source of the lag. If not, there are other optimizations to explore, including driver updates, background processes, or hardware upgrades, which can deliver similar gains without sacrificing core security protections.